Di Miller, Beat Writer Georgia Swarm
Lacrosse is Awesome
The Rochester Knighthawks (2-6) suffer their second loss of the weekend, this time at the hands of the domination of the Georgia Swarm (7-1). Sunday night was Native American Lacrosse Day at the Infinite Energy Arena where the Swarm still can’t draw a crowd. Even though they have the best record in the league, only 4,170 fans would be in attendance. The Swarm are the only team in the league that have reached the 100 goal mark and are currently the highest scoring team in the league averaging 14.8 goals per game. Tonight would be no different as they would give the Knighthawks their sixth loss on the season. Final Score: Georgia 15—Rochester 9.
Rochester decided to make a change in goal going with back-up net-minder Angus Goodleaf over veteran Matt Vinc. Although Goodleaf made some good saves, he was no match for the red hot Swarm.
The Knighthawks would come out guns a blazing and score three goals on four shots. Their first was a three on two when the Swarm was caught on an odd man rush and sloppy changeover and Jarrett Davis (assist Cory Vitarelli) would put it past Poulin at 1:53. They’d follow it up with a low hard shot from Kyle Jackson when he stepped down, reached around Jordan MacIntosh, hid the ball and shot low side on Poulin. Georgia would answer back a minute later at 4:15 with a tipped shot from Shayne Jackson to Jordan Hall. Hall would deflect the pass just enough that it got past Goodleaf. Rochester would quickly answer back with a low shot on Vinc in the five hole off Paul Dawson for his first goal of the year (assist Goodleaf). 
The Swarm would go on the power-play after an illegal crosscheck on Paul Dawson at the 7:18 mark and Johnny Powless would capitalize up the middle, getting a piece of the pipe with less than five seconds on the shot clock for the power-play goal at 8:11. Georgia would get another off John Ranagan with a three on three, had a scoop, spin and dodge to beat Goodleaf top shelf over the right shoulder to tie the game. At this point in the game, the shots were completely lopsided with Georgia 12-4, but Rochester had capitalized on three of those. Josh Currier would notch the final point with a low hard shot on a wide open Poulin at 10:48. Rochester pulled Goodleaf with 16.8 seconds left on the clock in the hopes the extra attacker would pay off. Unfortunately for Rochester it did not and Poulin sent a shot down the field in the hopes of hitting an empty netter, but the shot went wide. Score at the end of one: Rochester 5—Georgia 4.
The second quarter was all Georgia. They were streaming during their possessions; had great ball movement; and they were starting to settle in after a rough start in the first. First to score for the Swarm in the second would be Connor Sellars only .51 seconds in off a two on one. Lyle Thompson waited for the pass sent it to Sellars on the right side and paid the price as he got nailed in the process. Kiel Matisz would score on the power-play at 1:14 when he buried it low lefty to righty and split all four defenders to give Georgia their first lead in the contest. Lyle Thompson would notch a true hat-trick with goals at 4:27 (power-play); at 8:43 when his sheer determination and strength with a spin move, almost tripping, battling through and splitting the defenders sent it stick side low on Dougleaf; and 9:46 with an under hand bounce shot about three yards out would fool Dougleaf who went down but not in enough time to stop the glove side shot. There was a spectacular goal from Miles Thompson towards the end of the quarter that was called back. Rochester was loose and spread out on defense allowing Thompson to drop the ball in the back of the net, but the shot clock hit zero before the ball crossed the plane of the goal and was challenged by Rochester. This was a good move from the Hawks as this kept the game within one. Rochester was looking very frustrated as they hadn’t scored a goal since the 10:48 in the first; they were rushing their shots while Georgia was settling in, 
Poulin had his confidence back between the pipes and they were on point in transition. Score at the end of the half: Georgia 8—Rochester 5.
Coming out of the locker room, Rochester would finally get on the board on the power-play. Joe Resetarits would go low on the pass from Dan Dawson, reached around the defender and hit net at 3:03. But Georgia would hit back with Powless on a power-play of their own when he pinned top left corner, he took one step and made the decision to shoot. Thompson (L) was up next when he worked his way around, slid his way through the defenders, pump faked and dumped it in the back short side. Rochester hit back with two of their own. Resatarits would get his second of the night over the left shoulder of Poulin who wasn’t settled in net. The shot was a low percentage shot as he shot around the defender while Poulin was on the move. Dylan Evans would score unassisted for the Knighthawks on a three on two. The two defenders held right side allowing Evans to come down the middle and bounced it between the legs of Poulin at 10:49. Jerome Thompson would get his first and only on the night (assist Shayne Jackson) with only 25 seconds left in the frame. The goal was a perfect pick and roll, with a behind-the-back pass from Jackson to Thompson who dove and reached far side to put the Swarm farther ahead. Score at the end of three: Swarm 11—Knighthawks 7.
The fourth was just icing on the cake for the Swarm and the hive was buzzing. Thompson (L) would get another one (assist Miles). It was an “in the right place at the right time” goal. Miles would hit the post on his shot, but Lyle would get the rebound when Goodleaf was caught off guard, that’s when Lyle scooped the ball and with Goodleaf out of net, would hit twine. Matisz would score with the extra attacker off a sweet pass from Thompson (J) and Matisz would jump and shoot from the side of the net behind Dougleaf. Hall would get his second as Thompson (J) would send it across on the quick pass for Hall to stick it top corner with a low riser as Dougleaf dropped down misjudging the shot. Lyle would notch the sock-trick at 7:32 unassisted when he picked up his own rebound and Dougleaf was being lazy, Thompson picked up the ball and sent it in top left corner. In a last ditch effort, Rochester would see Dan Dawson finally score on a soft shot catching Poulin off guard. The last goal of the game would come from the Knighthawks with Adam Bomberry scoring on the power-play as he split the defenders and caught Poulin sliding left and shot right. That was it for Rochester as they would lose their fourth in a row. Final Score: Georgia 15—Rochester 9.
After the first quarter, the Swarm took total control of the game. Rochester was killing themselves with penalties; the frustration was mounting; there was a lot of pushing and shoving; and scrums everywhere. Georgia has the best penalty kill percentage in the league and they showed it again tonight.
MVP: Georgia Swarm, Lyle Thomspon—6G, 3A, 11 SOG, 10LB. Thompson has matured in his second season in the NLL realizing the difference in play as opposed to the Canadian box lacrosse leagues. He is quickly becoming one of the best players in the league and is on track for Player of the Year.
Georgia has a bye week, then they head to Calgary to face the Roughnecks (3-4) on Saturday March 4. Rochester (2-6) heads to Vancouver to face the Stealth (3-5) on Saturday February 25.
Di Miller, Beat Writer Georgia Swarm
Lacrosse is Awesome